Folding table



6 JOSEPH'PALMER & JOHN PALMER.

FOLDING TABLE.

No. 569,514.. Patented Oct. 13, 1896;

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.IOSEPII PALMER, OF AURORA, AND JOHN PALMER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 569,514, dated October 13, 1896.

Application filed November 11, 1895. Renewed August 25, 1896. Serial No. 603,900. (No model.)

To all whom it may (JO/b08770:

Be it known that we, JOSEPH PALMER, re siding at Aurora, in the county of Kane, and JOHN PALMER, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view from the un der side of a folding table constructed in ac; cordance with our invention. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal vertical section with one pair of legs shown as folded. Fig. 3 is a side view of said table shown as folded. Fig. lis adetail section on the line a: so of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the hinged braces.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in the several figures.

The object of our invention is to provide a table that may be folded compactly to facilitate and render more convenient its transportation and to diminish the amount of space required for its accommodation when not in use, and which will be strong and serviceable in use; and to this end said invention consists in the folding table having the features of construction substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.

In the carrying of our invention into practice we employ a top composed of two similar rectangular sections A and A, that at their ends are provided upon their under sides with transverse cleats or cross-bars a and a, and which are hinged together by two hinges B and B, said hinges being secured to a cleat a upon each section. A turn-button O is provided upon the under side of each of the hinged cleats, which is adapted to engage the adjacent cleat to lock orhold the two sections from turning on the hinges.

Hinged to the underside of each top section A, adjacent to the cleat a at the outer end thereof, is a support consisting of a pair of crossed legs D and D, that are connected at their upper ends by a horizontal bar E. Said legs are adapted to be folded against the under side of the section to which they are attached into the space between the two cleats CL and a thereon, and when opened out to support the table they are rigidly held by a folding brace consisting of two sections F and F, that are united by arule-jointf to each other and one of which is pivoted to the legs D, while the other has a pivotal and sliding connection with the under side of the top section. Such connection consists of a flanged or grooved plate G, secured to the under side of the section, and a head or cross piece f upon the appropriate brace-section F, that engages the flanges of the plate G, so as to be capable of a slightly rocking as well as sliding move ment to permit the sections F and F to 'be opened or folded upon their hinge f.

hen fully opened out, the sliding end of the brace abuts against a lug or projection g on the guide-plate G, which is located against the side of the hinge-cleat a the farthest possible point from the legs to be braced, so that the brace will oppose them as nearly directly as possible.

It will be apparent that by providing the sliding connection of the brace with the table-top the length of the brace can be increased, and hence it be made to stand in a position nearer a right angle to the legs than if such brace were simply pivoted to the top.

The legs D and D are hinged to their respective top sections at such points that the cross-bar E of each pair will, when the legs are opened out, abut against and be firmly supported by the cleat Ct at the outer end of the section.

Our table is designed more particularly for use by paper-hangers, and to add to its convenience for such purpose we provide with it a straight-edge H, that at one end is provided with a hook h, that is adapted to slidingly engage a rod or bar I, secured to the outer face of the end cleat a of one of the sections A. Said straight-edge may thus be readily held in place upon and guided back and forth over the table. To enable the straight-edge to be conveniently carried and packed, it is made of two parts hinged together, as shown.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is- 1. In a folding table, the combination of the two top sections hinged together, the support hinged to each section, the jointed brace pivoted to said support, and the flanged guideplate upon the section slidingly engaged by said brace, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In a folding table, the combination of the top sections having each cleats on its under side at its ends, the hinges connecting a cleat of one section with a cleat of the other, the support hinged to each section on its under side adjacent to its other cleat in position for the latter to be engaged thereby, a jointed brace pivoted to the support, and a flanged guide-plate slidingly engaged by a head upon the brace, and having a lug or projection for said head to abut against, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination with a folding table having a guide-rod, a straight-edge slidingly connected to said rod, composed of sections hinged together, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that We claim the foregoing We have hereunto set our hands this 14th day of October, 1895.

JOSEPH PALMER. JOHN PALMER.

Witnesses/as to signature of Joseph Palmer:

E. T. PRINDLE, A. C. LITTLE.

\Vitnesses as to signature of John Palmer:

JOHN MoOARTHY, J OHN M. KELLY. 

